When we started COMRAD in the fall of 2019, we had no idea if we would make it to issue 2. We self-funded the first printing and hoped enough people would buy it and a few other artists would want to participate. We now have ten issues representing the work of 40 local artists. Looking back, there are so many reasons why this shouldn’t have worked.
So, why did it work? If you ask me, it’s in the name. In 2018, I started smoking again because I was feeling the pressure of a new job and I needed an opportunity to step away and decompress. I was puffing on the corner, feeling extremely restless when the dots suddenly connected. An idea for a book had been hibernating in my mind for some time - Heavy Metal Magazine for Winnipeggers, an anthology magazine that brings local artists together and lets them do the kind of work they’ve always wanted - or never expected to.
It should be called COMRAD! Because comics obviously… but also community, camaraderie and rad stories that are radically different from page to page.
It was just an idea, but Hely understood it instantly and from that day onward, we were completely in sync about what COMRAD was meant to be. We had just enough courage - and cash - to give it a try, and we called it Issue 1 because we both believed it could grow into something more. Over the years, we never compromised our vision for the book.
We saved every dollar to go into the next printing and promotion, we introduced themes to give each issue its own unique identity, we connected with likeminded artists, retailers and events organizers, and over a few thousand tries, we refined our pitch to readers. COMRAD was just an idea, but now it belongs to so many more people than just Hely and I.
When I look back at the long list of contributors and I think of all the readers we’ve met at local events, I’m filled with a kind of gratitude that is hard to grasp and even harder to express. So for now I’ll just say, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For your stories, for reading and for believing.
With joy, sadness and immense gratitude, we’re saying goodbye to COMRAD this weekend with the release of our 10th issue, COMRAD X, at @prairiecomicsfestival
Why “Bye, for now?” Lots of extra challenges have piled up over the years, from cost increases to life changes for Hely and I. But the real reason is… we’re ready. Together with our artists, we’ve accomplished so much more than we set out to do, and we’re ready to explore other creative projects and ways to support the creative community.
With our final issue, we’re featuring stories inspired by the power of collaboration. And all proceeds we’ve collected to date will be going to Art City to support their important work.
We hope you’ll join us to celebrate at Prairie Comics Festival, September 6-7 at the Manitoba Museum.
With love,
Matt & Hely
PS. Hely and I collaborated on the latest cover and chose to pay homage to Issue 1 with two characters that forever have each other’s backs. It was so much fun creating something together, which was really the point all along. We hope you like it.
Artist Highlight - COMRAD X
In this issue, an epic saga of miniature proportions!
Title: Catch and release
Artists: Jan Castillo
Jan Castillo is a Filipino-Canadian artist living in Winnipeg, Manitoba / Treaty 1 Territory. His primary method of expression is through illustration and portraiture. He draws inspiration from nature, folklore, legends, fables, graphic novels, and pop art when creating both commercial and personal art.
IG: @hellopoppajan / @sotiredpress
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics #comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks #shortcomics #shortstories #localart #winnipegcomics
Artist Highlight - COMRAD X
In this issue, a cantankerous fuzzball!
Title: New Pet
Artists: Eric Hetherington & Josheph Pilapil
Joseph and Eric first met each other at Red River College and have been hanging out since. Today, they help run Bear Face General Store, an artist led collective and shop, of which they are both founding members. Eric mainly focuses on illustration these days while Joseph has become a dedicated sign painter, but collaborations between them are still frequent.
@mcduck.illustration on IG
mcduckillustration.bsky.social
@thetravellingsignpainters
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics #comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks #shortcomics #shortstories #localart #winnipegcomics
Artist Highlight - COMRAD X
In this issue, mothers, daughters and all the shenanigans!
Title: The Ultimate Collab
Artists: Aichelle & Nelly
Aichelle is a creative professional with a BFA (hons.), and a background in design and marketing. Preferred mediums: coloured pencils, markers, oil pastels, and digital. Loves: to advocate for mental health and human rights, and music and concerts.
Nelly is a young artist with a passion for anime, dance, and sports. Preferred mediums: digital, paint, markers, and graphite. Loves: to create videos, make skits, and make handmade gifts in her spare time.
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics #comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks #shortcomics #shortstories #localart #winnipegcomics
Artist Highlight - COMRAD X
In this issue, death and rebirth and all the beauty!
Title: Head Space
Artists: Ruby Rain & Bramwell Enan he/they
Ruby Rain
An appointed Whimsy Supplier™️ and artist, ruby likes to use colour and self expression as medicine. She hopes her work makes you feel loved, seen, or delighted (in a non cringy way).
Instagram: @rains.droplets she/they
https://rainsdroplets.square.site/
Shop: ww.bearfacegeneralstore.com
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics #comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks #shortcomics #shortstories #localart #winnipegcomics
Artist Highlight - COMRAD X
In this issue, death and rebirth and all the beauty!
Title: Head Space
Artists: Bramwell Enan he/they & Ruby Rain
Bramwell Enan
is a visual artist and educator in Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Canada. Enan explores how painting, digital processing, and sculpture interact to embody the personal and the tacit through a process of translation and hazy inference. Borrowing from architecture, needlework craft, and visual history, Enan nurtures intuition that meanders through play into form.
instagram wispwis
bramwellenan.com
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics #comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks #shortcomics #shortstories #localart #winnipegcomics
Artist Highlight - COMRAD X
In this issue, a family of artists, cool monsters, and endless imagination!
Title: The Collaberration
Artists: Pink Panda(they/she), Dresden Hues (they/them), Vee Hues (they/he)
Pink Panda (they/she) is a street artist and painter bringing bold colour, intricate lines, and fantastical vibes to life. Inspired by urban art, music, and cartoons, their work explores self-expression, emotion, and Chinese heritage. In warmer months, you’ll find them longboarding, leaving chalk art, or live “pop-up” painting with spray paint. They also share their passion as a guest artist at schools, events, and organizations, and lead inclusive spray paint workshops for all ages in a vibrant, welcoming space.
Dresden Hues (they/them) is a casual artist and photographer who spends most of their time stuck in their own head – having visual creative outlets gives them a chance to escape into the outside world and express the things that are hard to put into words. They also dislike writing bios quite a bit as they just recently discovered.
Vee Hues (they/he) is a 13-year-old artist with a passion for creating across multiple mediums, including drawing, painting, and sculpting with clay and paper. They also enjoy experimenting with digital painting techniques, constantly exploring new ways to bring their ideas to life. When not making art, Vee loves reading, crocheting, playing video games, and watching anime. They also have a deep fascination with frogs and spiders and dream of one day having a pet White’s Tree Frog.
@theartofpinkpanda , pinkpanda.ca,
@drzdnhuz@frobpond
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics #comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks #shortcomics #shortstories #localart #winnipegcomics
Another amazing turn out! Thank you @wpgpunkrockflea !! Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat and in general all the support, we felt the love big time! ❤️
#indiecomics #winnipegartist #supportlocalartists #comicswinnipeg #wprfm #indiecomicbooks
#makecomics #winnipegartist #winnipegart
Artist Announcement!
Eden @raspberryriot is one of 6 artists featured in Cult of COMRAD.
"Hi, I’m Eden, I’ve been drawing stories since I was 2, but I’ve only started illustrating (semi)professionally in the past year. Right now I’m excited to try new things in my art and explore whatever topics, culturally or personally, that catch my eye."
Don't miss your chance to grab a copy of Cult of COMRAD TODAY @wpgpunkrockflea !!
“A free event for talented punks and weirdos Wpg MB. November 02 RBC Convention Center Music, crafts, snacks, vintage, vinyl and more” (10:30 - 5:00)
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics#comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks
Artist Announcement!
Natalie 麥月明 (they/them) @floodkiss is one of 6 artists featured in Cult of COMRAD.
Natalie 麥月明 is a Queer Chinese-Canadian artist who works primarily with narratives. Their comics work is somewhere between a reflection of life and a little bit curious. Things they love: going to the library; playing ttrpgs; making and reading zines; cartoon mascot creatures like snoopy, chii-tan, and miffy; and being silly with their friends. (≧◡≦) ♡
Don't miss your chance to grab a copy of Cult of COMRAD TODAY @wpgpunkrockflea !!
“A free event for talented punks and weirdos Wpg MB. November 02 RBC Convention Center Music, crafts, snacks, vintage, vinyl and more” (10:30 - 5:00)
#comrad #illustration #draw #comic #comics#comicart #comicartist #comicstrip #indiecomics #makecomics #art #artists #mb #wpg #winnipegartist #mbartist #indiecomicbooks
